Sands named to fill Upper Gwynedd board vacancy

Steve Sands, newly elected Upper Gwynedd Township commissioner, shakes hands with District Judge Robert Sobeck after taking his oath of office as Sands’ wife Margie and the other township commissioners look on Tuesday.
DAN SOKIL — DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA

“Whenever you have somebody who’s had that amount of consistency in serving the community, it’s going to be very difficult to step in and be as effective as that individual was,” Sands said.

“I hope to fill the shoes of Gene, who left too soon. I hope to serve out his term, and possibly to look forward to the future as well,” he said.

Sands was the only name nominated by the other four commissioners, after board President Ken Kroberger said the search and interview process was “bittersweet.”

“The sweet part is, I think we have found an excellent candidate, who showed in the past a very willing attitude to serving the township and its residents,” Kroberger said.

Three candidates were interviewed by the board, according to Kroberger and commissioner Jim Santi, who said in addition to Sands one of the others was new to the township and the third had previously worked with the board.

“The background experience was the key, and then when you look at the number of years of service that he’s given to this township, I think that just put him over the top,” Santi said.

Commissioner Tom Duffy said he saw firsthand how Sands’ volunteer job leading the UGTMA board was a demanding one.

“He handled himself extremely well through some very, very difficult, tenuous situations. It was not an easy board to serve on — I was happy, quite frankly, to step off of it — but Steve handled himself very well,” Duffy said.

“That nomination would have to come from a member of the board. You can suggest their names be put up for nomination, but I’m going to ask for any other names” from the commissioners, Kroberger said, and the other three made no nominations.

During the board interview process, Kroberger said he discussed at length the time commitment needed from a commissioner, and Sands said he’s had extensive experience interacting with, and working for, the public during his time at UGTMA.

“I had discussions with each of the commissioners along the way, and I think having a head start with them, having seen me and known me with my service at UGTMA was helpful, but I think the process was a fair one,” Sands said.

After receiving his oath from District Justice Robert Sobeck, Sands took a seat on the board, and recused himself during the one other action taken by the board Tuesday. That action was an authorization to begin a declaration of taking for a property on the 1600 block of Valley Forge Road, which Duffy said would be needed for the wastewater diversion project.

The board also nominated Sands to act as board liaison for police and fire safety matters, and Santi joked, “Say goodbye to him, Margie,” to Sands’ wife after that role was made official.

“He will do an excellent job for us. Gene left a hole, and I think Steve can fill that hole,” Kroberger said.

Upper Gwynedd’s commissioners next meet at 7 p.m. on May 17 at the township administration building, 1 Parkside Place. For more information or meeting agendas and materials visit www.UpperGwynedd.org or follow @UpperGwyneddTwp on Twitter.